Tomorrow, April 18, is World Heritage Day. Over eighty years ago, the largest ever evacuation of New Zealand's cultural treasures was undertaken during World War II.
Tens of thousands of priceless artworks, sacred Māori artefacts, and irreplaceable documents were ushered out of our cities' biggest museums and institutions, and into safe houses in the regions, over fears the South Pacific could become the next target of enemy attacks.
Helen McCracken has worked in cultural heritage in New Zealand for over 30 years, the past 10 of which were spent with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. She is also studying for a PhD in disaster research, where she will examine the planning for cultural heritage protection in emergencies.
She speaks with Todd Zaner to recall this incredible chapter of our history.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
